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If i raise one starting from a puppy , what do i need to consider?

A place for it to sleep , 2 clean bowl for food and water. what brand? dry or wet food?
a collar , a leash , a chew toy , some dental bone treat. do puppy drink same milk we drink? no chocolate right? and no sea food?
At vet: Immunity shots? some sort of ID?

How often do they need to be washed as a puppy? if they have medium length hair?
Do they sleep alone at night? or near me?
My house is surrounded by 2 giant dogs , will they effect the mentality of how the puppy grows?

Any more info dakka dog owners want to share?

What kind of dog?

Manchu wrote:What kind of dog?

None yet , thats why need to plan ahead!
But if possible , some sort of shepherd.
if not , than golden retriever or labrador.

Check with your vets before you purchase your pup to see what they will need and how much it will cost.

Are you buying from a breeder? then ask what shots the pups have had, most will have given them the basic shots.

I have had dogs as pets for a long long time, not at the moment cause we have two cats that act like dogs!, and can say that you mustn't get the one that is looking all cute huddled up in the corner or is too shy.


Above all even though your dog will become your best friend you need to remember a few key points.

Two clean bowls, for water and food, a mix of dry and wet. Some dogs are picky so you could find yourself changing brands. Toys are excellent, bored dogs mean chewed furniture. A saturn ball, a ragger (length of rope or other that you hold at one end) are find, dental chews are good. Marrow bones are cheap and will provide hours of gnawing and licking fro your pet, trust me, they will come back and haunt you, in a good way.

There are a few pointers to take on board though, not many people will tell you this.

Your dog will be your buddy, he wants to be your buddy because YOU are the alpha, you are in charge, dogs get upset and unhappy when their is no clear control, its not cruel, you don't have to be cruel, but you must be assertive, they can feel this.

When you feed make sure its is after you have eaten, if you are not eating make sure you have a cracker or biscuit or fruit let them see before you place their food down. if they do not eat straight away pick the food up, then wait. Leaders eat first.

Do not let it up on the sofa or on your bed, same level implies, same status. they can sleep next to your bed but whilst it is young but it may be better, because of the accidents that will happen to have them in the kitchen or utility room.

The big dogs should not be a problem,make sure you are confident and direct activity and your dog should be fine.

Oh when walking they should stay just behind your legs,at the side, the chain or lead should be loose, that will come with practice.

Dog training schools are great.

Reward good behaviour, like kids, it helps.

I've had dogs all my life, never did any of this alpha stuff, and all of them have been friendly and well-behaved. That said, I've always had beagles. Maybe it's a breed thing. I've never had and would never get a german shepherd, lab, golden retriever, etc, so I dunno about them.

How do i know where they'll walk when i take them out for walks? Im worried that i might step on them or kick them by accident if we start running and im not looking at where im stepping next.

Golden Rule

YOU pick up the crap. It's your responsibilty. Don't try to pull any of that "But it's the families dog..." bull.

LunaHound wrote:How do i know where they'll walk when i take them out for walks? Im worried that i might step on them or kick them by accident if we start running and im not looking at where im stepping next.

What?

Manchu wrote:

LunaHound wrote:How do i know where they'll walk when i take them out for walks? Im worried that i might step on them or kick them by accident if we start running and im not looking at where im stepping next.

What?

How do i know during a jog that it wouldnt suddenly step into the same space im about to step on?

Labradors are excellent family dogs. I've never owned one (I'm a lurcher/whippet man mostly), but I'd recommend walking it at least once everyday for at least half an hour.

As for food? I'd recommend getting one of those meat-rolls, and cut a segment into chunks for dinner.

Cheese Elemental wrote:Labradors are excellent family dogs. I've never owned one (I'm a lurcher/whippet man mostly), but I'd recommend walking it at least once everyday for at least half an hour.

As for food? I'd recommend getting one of those meat-rolls, and cut a segment into chunks for dinner.

What kind of meat roll? any links?

LunaHound wrote:How do i know during a jog that it wouldnt suddenly step into the same space im about to step on?

That's the funniest thing I've read all day.

Some people feed their dogs raw meat diets. (http://www.barfworld.com/) Mine have always had dry food and never a problem.

Manchu wrote:I've had dogs all my life, never did any of this alpha stuff, and all of them have been friendly and well-behaved. That said, I've always had beagles. Maybe it's a breed thing. I've never had and would never get a german shepherd, lab, golden retriever, etc, so I dunno about them.

Its not an overt thing, its just stuff you do. Dogs know when its good, you just have to be aware or what a dog wants and what they need is structure.

Yeah, I guess it must be natural with me. I was seriously amused by that Cesar Millan episode of South Park, however.

What dog are you interested in Luna? A chiuahiua? )spelling fail...)

Emperors Faithful wrote:What dog are you interested in Luna? A chiuahiua? )spelling fail...)

I have had taken care some of family / friend / relative's dogs before , but never one that i raised my own.

Breed wise , i would say Border Collie -> Husky -> Golden Retriever -> Labrador
But i have alot of injuries when taking care of large dogs , so im looking for smaller dogs...
probably mutts , as i dont like toy breeds.

Get a beagle.

First you need to get a choke chain so you can assert your position as the alpha. I'm kidding.

Huskies are great but need a lot of open space to be healthy. You might be able to find episodes online of an Animal Planet show called Dogs 101 which is great for laying out what different breeds are like and need.

Huskies can also develop vitamin D deficiencies that lead to a painful scales around the eyes, mouth, and ears. That's just the problem I've actually seen, there may be others. They are friendly, however.

This is one of the reasons I love beagles. They're one of the most naturally healthy breeds out there.

No matter what breed you go with, I'd recommend getting female as they are more territorial/less likely to roam. If you do, be sure and get her spayed as a pup. It dramatically reduces her chances of developing cancer later on.

I'd recommend the following:

Get a rescue dog, save a dog that needs saving from the pound.

Ensure you spay the dog. There are far too many unloved and wasting away in pounds. The world does not need new puppies, it needs people prepared to show love and care to animals that idiots have bought on a whim and then rejected.

Inoculate your dog, ensure it gets all the meds it needs.

Understand you are make a 16 year + commitment. You are basically adopting a child that will need attention and exercise all those years, there is no question that you must walk the dog on days when the weather is horrible.

Understand the breed or size requirements of the animal you select.

Understand dog psychology! This is very important, understand that you eat before the dog does, that you have control. You must be the alpha in it's wolfpack or it will be miserable and so will you as it misbehaves due to conflicting messages you give it about who is in charge. Be a firm but gentle alpha dog, your dog will be thankful for it.

Is MGS a firm but gentle alpha dog?

How about the pros and cons for selecting gender?

DO NOT put silly clothing on the animal. They know. Don't ask me how, but they know. Sunglasses and college t-shirts are acceptable. And put a beano in its food. Dogs fart too, you know. (So do cats... ) And don't give it people food. Most of it is too rich and will cause all sort of nasty side-effects.

Already wrote about that (gender) above.

As to getting a dog from a a pound or breeder, there is a third option. As I said, I've always had beagles. Every single one of them has been bought as a puppy from a hunt club. This is just as humane as adopting a shelter dog and costs about the same or a bit less (no idea what the Canadian rates are but pet adoption is very affordable at $75-$100 in the US). I find this is a good compromise because it saves the dog from an almost assuredly wretched future, it's cheap, and you get the dog as a pup rather than having to work through th abuse/neglect that many shelter dogs have gone through. A hunt club pup will no doubt seem healthy but will likely need immediate treatment for parasites and may already have other minor, hygiene-related problems like ear mites. Actually, no matter where you get your pet your first stop before taking it home should be to the vet. You should also have an understanding with the seller that you are purchasing the animal on condition of a relatively clean bill of health and will return it for a refund if you find otherwise from a licensed vet.

I would suggest getting your pet microchipped, so if they wander off they can still be identified and returned to you.

I've personally found females are friendlier and more docile (Well, the ones I've had, at any rate), and as Manchu mentioned less territorial.

And use Advantage for fleas and ticks. A little drop to the back of the neck is much easier than using stinky spray or medicated shampoo.

Ahtman wrote:Is MGS a firm but gentle alpha dog?

If you want me to be...



Now wag you tail and beg!

As a few have said. Dogs from a shelter is a good choice.

I had one from a pound myself, an overly boisterous young bull terrier, she was basically dumped by the owners for not being aggressive enough!

Looking round a dog shelter will also make you consider the comitment. It's worth it if you can put the time in.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

Ahtman wrote:Is MGS a firm but gentle alpha dog?

If you want me to be...



Now wag you tail and beg!

I puked a bit in my mouth.

Manchu wrote:

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

Ahtman wrote:Is MGS a firm but gentle alpha dog?

If you want me to be...



Now wag you tail and beg!

I puked a bit in my mouth.

Veni.